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Stop 14

Stop 14 at the Filling Station Museum Quincy FL Self Guided Tour
14A- Shell scalloped Gas Pump Globe
14B- CiTies Service Gas Pump Globes & Sign
14C- Texaco Gas Pump globe, Texaco/Firechief Promo items
14D- Gulf Oil Products & Service Station Accessories

14A – Shell Scalloped Gas Pump Globe

Scalloped Shell Glass Gas Pump Globe at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL
Top Shelf: This Shell gas pump globe dates back to the 1940s-1950s. These globes were typically placed atop pumps, often lit from within to advertise the station’s fuel brand at night.

The scallop shell logo, adopted by Shell in 1904, was inspired by the company’s origins in the seashell trade—its founders, Marcus Samuel and his brother, initially imported seashells from the Far East before transitioning to oil.

Fun Fact:

He Sells Sea Shells:  Shell’s founders started as seashell importers in the 1830s, and the scallop shell logo was a nod to this heritage. 

During the 1940s and 1950s, Shell was officially known as Royal Dutch Shell. It was one of the world’s leading oil companies, formed by the merger of Royal Dutch Petroleum and Shell Transport and Trading.

Shell invested heavily in exploration, refining, and marketing, establishing itself as a pioneer in the global oil industry. In the 1950s, Shell began researching renewable energy, though it wouldn’t become a focus until decades later, it was an early sign of the company’s adaptability.

The company also played a key role in wartime efforts. During World War II, Shell developed 100-octane aviation fuel, which gave Allied planes a performance edge.

14B – Cities Service Gas Pump Globes and Sign

Cities Service Gas Pump Globes and Sign at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

Second Shelf From Top: This collection features two glass gas pump globes and a rectangular sign, all bearing the Cities Service branding. The “CITIES SERVICE” globe with its red border likely dates to the 1940s, while the “KOOLMOTOR” globe, with its black and orange design, reflects a branded fuel line introduced in the 1930s to promote a smoother, cooler-running gasoline for engines. The “REGULAR” sign would have been affixed directly to the pump, guiding customers to the appropriate fuel grade.

Fun Fact: 
Koolmotor Marketing: Cities Service was an early adopter of leaded gasoline in the 1920s, which “Koolmotor” built upon to reduce engine knock in high-compression engines.
Cities Service, founded in 1910 by Henry L. Doherty, began as a utility company but quickly expanded into the oil and gas industry, becoming a major player by the 1920s. The “Koolmotor” fuel, introduced in the 1930s, was marketed as a premium gasoline that reduced engine knocking and heat, appealing to drivers of the era’s increasingly powerful cars. 
By the 1940s and 1950s, Cities Service was a leading oil company in the U.S., with thousands of stations nationwide, before rebranding to Citgo in the 1960s.
Fun Fact: 
Collector’s Appeal: Cities Service globes are highly sought after today because many were destroyed during the Citgo rebranding, making surviving pieces rare.

14C -Texaco Gas Pump Globe, texaco Fire Chief  Promotional items

Texaco Gas Pump Globe, Texaco Fire Chief Promotional items at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

3rd Shef from Top- Left: This Texaco gas pump globe dates to the 1940s and 1950s. Gas pump globes like this one were mounted atop fuel pumps at Texaco stations and were often illuminated to attract motorists day or night. They served as both advertisement and as a beacon to drivers. The Texaco star logo, introduced in 1909, was inspired by the Lone Star of Texas, reflecting the company’s origins in the state. The green “T” within the red star became a symbol of quality and reliability, instantly recognizable to drivers across the U.S. 

Fun Fact:

Globe Craftsmanship: Texaco globes were often hand-painted, and early versions like this one used milk glass for a soft, glowing effect when lit.

Right: The Fire Chief helmet is part of a promotional campaign launched in the 1930s, where Texaco marketed its “Fire Chief” gasoline. It was a premium fuel named to evoke speed and power, as if fueling fire trucks. These helmets were often given as promotional items to children or station owners.

Fun Fact:
Helmet Rarity: Texaco Fire Chief helmets were produced in limited quantities, making them prized collectibles today, especially in good condition.
Back: The miniature gas pump model, a collectible likely from the 1950s, reflects Texaco’s merchandising strategy to engage younger audiences, fostering brand loyalty through toys and novelties. Together, these items highlight Texaco’s innovative marketing and its deep ties to American car culture during the postwar boom.
Fun Fact:

When Your Hot Wheels Needed a Fill Up:

Texaco sold miniature pump models as toys in the 1950s.
Texaco, formally known as The Texas Company, was founded in 1902 in Beaumont, Texas, following the Spindletop oil discovery. By the 1940s and 1950s, Texaco was one of America’s largest oil companies, with a vast network of stations and a strong presence in refining and exploration.

14D -Gulf Oil Products and service station accessories

Gulf Oil Products and service station accessories at the Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

2nd Shelf from Bottom: This collection features an assortment of Gulf-branded products from the mid-20th century, showcasing the variety of automotive and household goods the company offered. Included are cans of Gulf Lite Charcoal Starter, Gulf Spray Quick Action Insecticide (one labeled for general use and another specifically as a moth proofer), Gulf Valvetop Oil, and Gulf Trak Moth Proofer, notable for its vibrant red and white design aimed at protecting fabrics. Additionally, a small can of Gulf P.A.C. (Performance Additive Compound) sits among them, designed to enhance engine performance.

Fun Fact:
Gulf’s Weird Ad Stunt: In 1955, Gulf hired a stuntman to “surf” on top of a car using their oil cans as a board to show how “smooth” their oil was.

Bottom Shelf: These items are from a Gulf service station. They include items used for everyday operations, including a weathered oil can with a spout for manual lubrication, a Gulf Power Par empty box that once held service station supplies, likely spark plugs or small tools, and a small stack of oil filters labeled for safety service, essential for vehicle maintenance during the era.

Fun Fact:
Power Par Mystery Box: Gulf Power Par boxes sometimes came with hidden toy cars inside as a surprise for kids whose parents bought the full set of spark plugs.
The significance of these items lies in their representation of Gulf’s multifaceted role in American life during the postwar boom. The products on the top shelf show how oil companies extended their reach into everyday households, while the bottom shelf accessories highlight the hands-on service culture of the time.
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